MERCAZ Olami

18/08/2026

Israel’s upcoming general elections will do far more than determine the next government - they will shape the trajectory of Israeli civil society, democratic norms, and religious freedom for a generation. Understanding these shifts requires rigorous, insider analysis.

To examine what is truly at stake, we're hosting a live interview featuring Dr. Yizhar Hess, Vice Chairman of the WZO, in a dialogue with Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman, President of the Shalom Hartman Institute מכון שלום הרטמן.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 AT 8PM ISRAEL TIME
Los Angeles, Vancouver 10AM
Mexico City 11:00
New York, Toronto 1:00 PM
Santiago de Chile 13:00
Buenos Aires, Rio De Janeiro, Montevideo 14:00
London, 18:00
Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, Paris 19:00

* The event will be in English with simultaneous translation to Spanish and French.

Register here:
https://rebrand.ly/il-elections [ENGLISH]
https://rebrand.ly/es-elections [SPANISH]

09/08/2026

MERCAZ Olami extends our warmest congratulations to Rabbi Loren Sykes as he officially steps into his new dual role as the Executive Director of Mercaz USA מרכז and the inaugural Director of Israel Education and Engagement for the Rabbinical Assembly. Rabbi Sykes brings years of dedicated leadership within Conservative/Masorti Judaism, a deep passion for the State of Israel, and familiarity in World Zionist Organization affairs.
We are thrilled to see our American arm strengthen its leadership at such a crucial moment. Strengthening the unbreakable bond between diaspora Jewry and Israel requires dedicated, visionary leaders, and Rabbi Sykes’ experience - from Camp Ramah to his deep roots in Israel - makes him uniquely suited to lead MERCAZ USA into its next chapter.

We look forward to working closely with Rabbi Sykes, President Rabbi Hillel Skolnik, and the entire MERCAZ USA team. Together, we will continue to champion a vibrant, pluralistic, and democratic Israel on the global stage. Please join us in welcoming Rabbi Sykes to the leadership table!

MERCAZ USA Welcomes Our New Executive Director: Rabbi Loren Sykes! See the full announcement here:

https://www.mercazusa.org/2026/08/mercazusawelcomesrabbilorensykesasnewexecutivedirector080726/

06/08/2026

Yesterday, MERCAZ Olami leadership participated in a deeply moving national ceremony marking the reinterment of Theodor Herzl’s grandparents, Shim'on (Leib) and Rivka Herzl, on Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem. Held in the presence of the President of Israel, the Prime Minister, and leaders of the World Zionist Organization, this event fulfilled a historical debt to the family of the visionary of the Jewish State.
​During the ceremony, Dr. Yizhar Hess, WZO Vice Chair and our Executive vice president, addressed the gathering, drawing directly on Theodor Herzl’s foundational vision for the Jewish nation. He quoted the enduring words spoken by David Litvak, the central protagonist in Herzl’s utopian novel Altneuland, reminding us that the Zionist project is built not only on sovereignty, but on moral responsibility, social equality, and shared purpose for all its citizens.
​As we honor the legacy of Herzl’s line, MERCAZ Olami remains steadfastly committed to realizing this vision: a vibrant, pluralistic, and democratic Israel that reflects the highest values of the Zionist movement.

22/07/2026

🎥 Our very own Tammy Gottlieb, Director of MAROM , WZO Executive Board member on behalf of the Masorti/Conservative Movement, and Vice Chairwoman of Women of the Wall Nashot HaKotel, shares what motivates her during her recent visit with Masorti Judaism, its communities and their leaders in the UK:
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19ET2vMEV4/

14/07/2026

MERCAZ Olami was honored to attend the Rabbinical Assembly annual Tammuz gathering, hosted alongside the The Schechter Institutes right here in Jerusalem, to stand in active solidarity with our movement's educational and spiritual leadership.

Watching our global rabbinic community engage in deep text study and meaningful connection reminds us exactly what we are fighting for every single day within the National Institutions. Our leadership team, Executive Vice President, Dr. Yizhar Hess , Secretary General Nilli Glick Asaf, with Masorti Olami Interim CEO Tehila Reuben, attended to reinforce MERCAZ’s commitment to protecting, supporting, and championing the critical spaces where egalitarian, modern Zionism can flourish.

Photos by Schechter Institutes and Bar Siman Tov

01/07/2026

At this week’s Jewish Agency for Israel Board of Governors, our representatives - your representatives! - spoke out on a number of important topics and decisions impacting Israel and the entire Jewish world. Among these was a vote on an important resolution on the unity of the Jewish people, which included a rejection of attempts by some in positions of power in Israel to sideline non-Orthodox Jews and even criminalize our practice at our holy sites.

Thank you to Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO of the Rabbinical Assembly, for speaking so passionately and eloquently on behalf of our communities. Our representatives’ hard work ensured this resolution was ultimately adopted by a large margin. This put the Jewish Agency Board of Governors - the leaders of the main address for Israeli policymakers when it comes to matters that impact Israel-Diaspora ties - formally on record on these important matters.

30/06/2026

After nine extraordinary years of leadership, Executive Director Rabbi Mauricio Balter is retiring from MERCAZ Olami and Masorti Olami, leaving behind a legacy of historic growth and triumphs. Under his tenure, the movement expanded its global footprint to 17 active chapters, secured absolute funding equality among religious streams from the National Institutions, and achieved a historic 15% representation increase at the World Zionist Congress. From securing tens of millions of NIS for Zionist programming and climate action to fiercely defending democratic values and pluralism, Rabbi Balter’s leadership has built an undeniable momentum. As the organization transitions to its next chapter under Dr. Yizhar Hess as Executive Vice President and Nilli Glick Asaf as General Secretary, it stands on a firm, powerful foundation ready for continued impact.

30/06/2026

Today, MERCAZ/Conservative-Masorti representatives spent their third and final day representing you and your communities at the The Jewish Agency for Israel Board of Governors. After site visits to see the organization’s work across Israel yesterday, today, our representatives participated in various policy and oversight committees, including the Committee on the Unity of the Jewish People which is a major forum for addressing political and religious divides throughout the Jewish world.

Our representation on the Jewish Agency’s Board is a product of our representation in the Zionist Congress, and our representation in the Zionist Congress reflects your work and votes in last year’s elections. With your backing, we are making sure the Jewish Agency and the other national institutions - some of the largest organizations in Israel and the Jewish world - reflect our values and priorities in their work, investments, and management.

28/06/2026

The Jewish Agency for Israel Board of Governors convened today in Tel Aviv, bringing together representatives from across the world and all the factions and organizations that make up the World Zionist Congress. This is another arena where Masorti/Conservative representatives from MERCAZ - elected by you - are working to ensure that the national institutions act in accordance with our shared values.

Following meetings about JAFI’s relations with the Israeli government, fighting antisemitism and supporting Bnei Menashe making Aliyah, we also had a meaningful meeting with our friend, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael - Jewish National Fund Chairman Eyal Ostrinsky.